Getting older and buying a new CB1100

[tod.branko_imp]

Hey guys, been at my new job about 4 weeks now, and I am glad I went back. The number or Covid cases is rising sharply here in Corpus Christi, but we are still teaching. I am vaccinated and wear an N-95 mask most of the time anyway. I have been riding either the Z900RS or 2017 EX CB on most days it is not raining.. It is only a 25 mile round trip, but the bike makes it seem nicer. I rode the Kawasaki a week then the Honda. Wow! Did I noticed the weight difference when I backed the Honda out of the garage. I turn 67 in September, and have yet to notice the weight of the CB. But after backing the Z900RS out, I did felt the difference. With the stock exhaust system gone, the Kawi weighs a whole lot less that the EX. I even had to watch how I rode the Honda, as the Kawasaki can be tossed side to side and cornered much steeper. Maybe it is my age, but I found my self riding the Z900RS much faster, but felt safer at speed. The brakes are good on both bikes, but the Honda stops quicker. So, I am going to ride the Honda for a couple weeks to get my comfort zone back, and then switch back to the Kawasaki. Funny, how I had not really noticed such a sharp comparison before.....Makes you think.......

Kawasaki is a lighter, more nimble machine, and has a significant edge on power over the CB, so undoubtedly you, too, feel the difference. It has the 17s and the wide tires as well, so that will also give a sense of confidence when cornering. Although these two bikes are styled similarly, they are very different.

Still happy to hear you are enjoying your return to teaching and using every available moment to ride, I can only wish to have that when I reach that age. Don't stop

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

[GoldOxide_imp]

Hey guys, been at my new job about 4 weeks now, and I am glad I went back. The number or Covid cases is rising sharply here in Corpus Christi, but we are still teaching. I am vaccinated and wear an N-95 mask most of the time anyway. I have been riding either the Z900RS or 2017 EX CB on most days it is not raining.. It is only a 25 mile round trip, but the bike makes it seem nicer. I rode the Kawasaki a week then the Honda. Wow! Did I noticed the weight difference when I backed the Honda out of the garage. I turn 67 in September, and have yet to notice the weight of the CB. But after backing the Z900RS out, I did felt the difference. With the stock exhaust system gone, the Kawi weighs a whole lot less that the EX. I even had to watch how I rode the Honda, as the Kawasaki can be tossed side to side and cornered much steeper. Maybe it is my age, but I found my self riding the Z900RS much faster, but felt safer at speed. The brakes are good on both bikes, but the Honda stops quicker. So, I am going to ride the Honda for a couple weeks to get my comfort zone back, and then switch back to the Kawasaki. Funny, how I had not really noticed such a sharp comparison before.....Makes you think.......

Kawasaki is a lighter, more nimble machine, and has a significant edge on power over the CB, so undoubtedly you, too, feel the difference. It has the 17s and the wide tires as well, so that will also give a sense of confidence when cornering. Although these two bikes are styled similarly, they are very different.

Still happy to hear you are enjoying your return to teaching and using every available moment to ride, I can only wish to have that when I reach that age. Don't stop

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

(+1) what Tod said Mike. Is good to read you are still active helping the minds of others and can enjoy a choice of ride. Really nice.

[peterbaron]

Hey guys, been at my new job about 4 weeks now, and I am glad I went back. The number or Covid cases is rising sharply here in Corpus Christi, but we are still teaching. I am vaccinated and wear an N-95 mask most of the time anyway. I have been riding either the Z900RS or 2017 EX CB on most days it is not raining.. It is only a 25 mile round trip, but the bike makes it seem nicer. I rode the Kawasaki a week then the Honda. Wow! Did I noticed the weight difference when I backed the Honda out of the garage. I turn 67 in September, and have yet to notice the weight of the CB. But after backing the Z900RS out, I did felt the difference. With the stock exhaust system gone, the Kawi weighs a whole lot less that the EX. I even had to watch how I rode the Honda, as the Kawasaki can be tossed side to side and cornered much steeper. Maybe it is my age, but I found my self riding the Z900RS much faster, but felt safer at speed. The brakes are good on both bikes, but the Honda stops quicker. So, I am going to ride the Honda for a couple weeks to get my comfort zone back, and then switch back to the Kawasaki. Funny, how I had not really noticed such a sharp comparison before.....Makes you think.......

Nice report Michael!
How is DLX's back to life restoration progressing???

[michael1954]

The DLX is coming along. It should look almost Brand New when I take her out. I even went so far as to replace the gas tank, it had a little ding in it. When I get there, I need to ask are there any special things I need to watch out for when replacing the tank, for one, what parts should I replace with it?
Working again, and waiting for the 100F days to cool off enough to tackle the continuing task.

[peterbaron]

To have the job done right and for piece of mind, replace big fuel pump ass-y base rubber gasket/#7, fuel line dumper/#3 & retainer/#11.
Torque M6 nuts to specs/9 ft-lb.
https://www.hondapartshouse.com/oemparts...-fuel-pump

Prior tank removal:
* while idling, disconnect 4 pin black fuel pump connector and let the engine die, crank 1-2 times, ignition OFF. This will remove fuel pressure from the fuel line
* M8 bolt out
* lift the gas tank up and disconnect its rubber breather hose, very sure it will be stuck, so spry WD40 or similar and crack it loose by twisting, then disconnect it
* insert 2x4 between your tank and frame to gain more room while disconnecting the fuel line


* after reassembling and reconnecting everything back, turn ignition ON/OFF a couple of times to prime the fuel system, then fire her up at the first shot. While idling, observe any fuel leaks.

[GoldOxide_imp]

The DLX is coming along. It should look almost Brand New when I take her out. I even went so far as to replace the gas tank, it had a little ding in it. When I get there, I need to ask are there any special things I need to watch out for when replacing the tank, for one, what parts should I replace with it?
Working again, and waiting for the 100F days to cool off enough to tackle the continuing task.

Congratulations Michael. The itch to get on with the ride must be unbearable.

[tommymck]

To have the job done right and for piece of mind, replace big fuel pump ass-y base rubber gasket/#7, fuel line dumper/#3 & retainer/#11.
Torque M6 nuts to specs/9 ft-lb.
https://www.hondapartshouse.com/oemparts...-fuel-pump

Prior tank removal:
* while idling, disconnect 4 pin black fuel pump connector and let the engine die, crank 1-2 times, ignition OFF. This will remove fuel pressure from the fuel line
* M8 bolt out
* lift the gas tank up and disconnect its rubber breather hose, very sure it will be stuck, so spry WD40 or similar and crack it loose by twisting, then disconnect it
* insert 2x4 between your tank and frame to gain more room while disconnecting the fuel line


* after reassembling and reconnecting everything back, turn ignition ON/OFF a couple of times to prime the fuel system, then fire her up at the first shot. While idling, observe any fuel leaks.

You'll find several videos online that show the process. Beware though. They are all (that I found) pre-2017 EX models. Removal of the fuel line at the fuel pump is different on the 2017s. I had a post on it somewhere here. There is a white "clip" that looks like it is part of what is holding the line onto the pump, but it's actually a sort of tool that is used to expand the real clip. I'll see if I can find it. Knowing the trick turns a couple of miserable hours into a 5 minute process.

EDIT: Nevermind....I saw EX in your signature and didn't realize you were talking about your DLX. There are a couple of threads here and several videos that I "think" should cover the DLX.

[Rocky_imp]

I'm coming very late to the party with this thread. When I realized how old it was I tried to delete my post but couldn't so I let it stand. The moderators can remove it if they wish.
I read your post with interest, and I'm sorry that you have some physical issues that are slowing you down, but at age 55, (you would be 60 now?) you certainly should have a lot of riding years left. That said, you can only do what you can do if your body starts to let you down.
I'll be 84 in a few months and I enjoy uncommonly good heath, strength and stamina. That also said, the CB is the heaviest bike I have ever owned so I always have to be careful moving it around.
Nothing thrills me more than to get out on the road on the 1100. Just yesterday I did a coastal loop of 66 miles on the CB and loved every second of it. This province has many winding coastal roads and the CB and I live for those roads; the curves; the scenery and the smell of the Atlantic Ocean.
Everyone ages differently and either enjoys good or poor physical health, but don't talk yourself into old age. Be positive.
Good luck and stay safe.

[furious_blue_imp]

I'm coming very late to the party with this thread. When I realized how old it was I tried to delete my post but couldn't so I let it stand. The moderators can remove it if they wish.
I read your post with interest, and I'm sorry that you have some physical issues that are slowing you down, but at age 55, (you would be 60 now?) you certainly should have a lot of riding years left. That said, you can only do what you can do if your body starts to let you down.
I'll be 84 in a few months and I enjoy uncommonly good heath, strength and stamina. That also said, the CB is the heaviest bike I have ever owned so I always have to be careful moving it around.
Nothing thrills me more than to get out on the road on the 1100. Just yesterday I did a coastal loop of 66 miles on the CB and loved every second of it. This province has many winding coastal roads and the CB and I live for those roads; the curves; the scenery and the smell of the Atlantic Ocean.
Everyone ages differently and either enjoys good or poor physical health, but don't talk yourself into old age. Be positive.
Good luck and stay safe.

whoa ! 84 and still enjoying the ride that is great !
I figured that for me it would probably be over by the mid-70s, now I think *maybe* not...

[michael1954]

To have the job done right and for piece of mind, replace big fuel pump ass-y base rubber gasket/#7, fuel line dumper/#3 & retainer/#11.
Torque M6 nuts to specs/9 ft-lb.
https://www.hondapartshouse.com/oemparts...-fuel-pump

Prior tank removal:
* while idling, disconnect 4 pin black fuel pump connector and let the engine die, crank 1-2 times, ignition OFF. This will remove fuel pressure from the fuel line
* M8 bolt out
* lift the gas tank up and disconnect its rubber breather hose, very sure it will be stuck, so spry WD40 or similar and crack it loose by twisting, then disconnect it
* insert 2x4 between your tank and frame to gain more room while disconnecting the fuel line


* after reassembling and reconnecting everything back, turn ignition ON/OFF a couple of times to prime the fuel system, then fire her up at the first shot. While idling, observe any fuel leaks.

Congratulations Michael. The itch to get on with the ride must be unbearable.
You know it. I was thinking about taking it to work tomorrow, as is, because it still runs fine, but I get quite a few compliments on the EX, I do not anyone to see a less than perfect DLX. What bike vanity!